Belong

Welcome to Redemption Church! Happy New Year! My name is Chris Fluitt and I am excited to share the Word of God with you today.

I have a simple message for you today that is going to speak to the vision for your life this upcoming year. I also want to apply this message to the vision of Redemption Church.

Mark 5:1-5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

A well-known story about a demoniac – a man possessed with a legion of demons. A legion is a Roman military term for an upward of 2000 soldiers.

A broken person

• Demons
• Outcast
• Miserable
• Lived in a dark graveyard

Verse 2 says Jesus got out of the boat, and the man came to meet him.

Mark 5:6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

Is this the same guy?  Yes it is.

• The same guy with demons.
• Same outcast.
• Same miserable person.
• Same guy from a graveyard.

The broken person ran to Jesus and worshipped Jesus.

No one stopped Him

• Believe
  • Theology police
  • Transubstantiation? Pre-tribulational rapture? Pre-millinialist?
  • Christological position on the pre-incarnate Word of God?
  • What denomination are you?
  • Before you come any closer we want to make sure you believe like us…
• Behave
  • What are you doing?
  • Are you worshipping the right way?
  • Are you dressing the right way?
  • Are you talking the right way?
  • How do you vote?

The demoniac would not have understood any of these questions.

“I just want to get to that man over there.”

Not trying to be religious…
Not trying to be like you… talk like you…

Trying not to hurt.
Trying to live.
Trying to have hope.
Trying to escape darkness.

“I just want to get to that man over there. I think He can help me.”

 

Mark 5:6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

Jesus treats the man like he belongs.

Religion does not treat us like we belong.

Religion creates barriers.   JESUS HAS NO BARRIERS.

Religion tries to hold you back.  Jesus accepts you as you are.

 

How religion treats people who approach Jesus.

Believe
Behave
Belong

 

How Jesus treats people… how we are going to treat people at Redemption Church.

Belong
Behave – Believe

Our vision

Love God – Services for people who are running to Jesus.

Grow Faith – Groups/relationships – share stories – Be a disciple & make disciples.

Serve Others – Opportunities to use your gift. NEXT STEPS & DREAM TEAM

Go change the world – The call to do more. Lead others. Start ministries. Plant Churches.

Let’s remember that story of the demoniac.

Jesus steps off the boat… the demoniac runs and worships.

The Demoniac belonged BEFORE HE BELIEVED.
The Demoniac belonged BEFORE HE BEHAVED.

Let’s remember how difficult it is to walk into a Church…

For the first time…
After you were hurt by other churches and Christians.

Redemption Church, let’s be a place where people belong.

Like the demoniac, you can run to Jesus…

Nothing is stopping you from coming to Jesus.

Come worship.
Come pray.
Come be prayed for.
Come take your next step.